Rethymno’s historic city center lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress. Rethymno Beach begins at the historic center and stretches twelve kilometers east to Scaleta. These two places offer different focal points for your trip: the historic urban fabric and the coast with its fine-grained, light brown sand.
Old Town, Fortress and Museums
The Old Town is designated as a protected historic monument and traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later altered during Ottoman rule. Anyone interested in Rethymno’s history can therefore find different historical periods reflected in the description of the city center. The municipality’s coast is also home to the Venetian harbor.
Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno has been housed in a pentagonal building in front of the main entrance to the Fortezza. Its exhibitions trace the history of the prefecture from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Historical and Folklore Museum, by contrast, is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion. Five rooms in its permanent exhibition showcase traditional crafts and folk art. The two museums thus offer different perspectives: archaeological history on the one hand, and traditional crafts and folk art on the other.
Archaeology and Architectural History
Cultural history beyond the city center also offers a different focus from the museums in Rethymno. The Museum of the Archaeological Site of Eleftherna is the first archaeological site museum in Crete. Its exhibitions show life in ancient Eleftherna from the late phases of the 4th millennium BC through the Byzantine period. Excavations in the area of the present-day villages of Eleftherna and Ancient Eleftherna have uncovered significant parts of the ancient city.
The Armeni necropolis is an extensive Late Minoan cemetery where more than 220 tombs have been excavated. These are family tombs containing several deceased people. The grave goods provide insight into the art, religion and social organization of the time. Visitors interested in archaeological finds can connect this focus with the long period covered by the exhibitions in Eleftherna.
At Arkadi Monastery, the two-aisled Church of Saint Constantine and the Transfiguration of the Savior was built in 1587. The building dates from the Venetian period and features elements of Renaissance architecture. After the 1866–1869 revolution, the monastery became an eternal symbol of freedom. In Chromonastiri, the Military Museum is housed in a Venetian villa built in 1610 for the Clodio family. The museum displays weapons from the Greek Revolution of 1821 through the Second World War; one room is dedicated to the historic Battle of Crete. Chromonastiri is also designated a historic and protected settlement.
Coast, Nature and Reasons to Visit
Rethymno’s twelve-kilometer beach stretches east from the historic city center to Scaleta. Its fine-grained, light brown sand defines this stretch of coast. In the Arkadi municipal district, loggerhead sea turtles nest on the sandy beach, and systematic measures are taken to protect them. Rethymno also offers opportunities for diving. Alongside the city’s history, coastal attractions and wildlife observation can therefore provide possible focuses for your trip.
The Moulói Gorge has a small river and the abandoned traditional village of Moulói, where traditional architecture, old churches and caves can be seen. The gorge begins at Chromonastiri and ends in the village of Xiro Chorio. The Arkadi Gorge begins at Arkadi Monastery and passes through an impressive landscape to the village of Pikri, which features significant examples of Venetian architecture. The two routes also differ in their named starting and ending points.
Traditional coffee houses serving local specialties are part of Rethymno’s cultural scene. The Renaissance Festival takes place every summer, with music, theater and dance performances as well as art exhibitions. Carnival is also a traditional event; volunteers organize the parade every year. Rethymno’s municipal theater presents performances annually and is a visitor attraction. If a festival or performance is important to your trip, check the specific dates for your stay.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Agia Galini, Sellía, Rethymnon, Roumeli, Adele, Drosia, Eleftherna, Kalonyktis, Roussospiti, Prínos, Anógeia, Sfakaki, Kouloukonas, Charkia, Prines, Maroulas, Rodakino, Perama, Axos, Panormos, Platanés, Platanos, Arkadi, Magnisia, Livadia Keramoti, Episkopi, Roústika, Stavromenos, Myrthios, Pigianos Kampos, Melidoni, Argiroupoli, Damnoni, Triopetra, Asteri, Agia Paraskevi, Kerames, Lambi, Skouloufia, Margarites, Erfoi, Spili, Myxorrouma, Choumeri, Armenoi, Sises Geropotamos, Melissourgaki Geropotamos, Agios Vasilios, Loutra, Venio, Aghia Triada, Kato Rodakino, Akoumia, Petres, Koxare, Vederi, Gonia, Achlades, Kirianna, Gallos, Vlichada, Viranepiskopi, Pikris, Kare, Agios Pavlos, Petrochori, Garazo, Mikro Metochi, Adelianos Kampos, Chromonastiri, Nithafri, Somatas, Fourfouras, Aggeliana, Atsipades, Mariou, Keramota, Karoti, Agia Fotini, Bali, Roupes, Pagkalochori.
For the broader travel guide: Crete.
